Magazine sparks Jordan
comeback rumours
If a report in this week's Sports Illustrated is to be believed, the NBA will not have to worry about falling attendance or television ratings much longer.
In its March 19 issue, which hits the news stands on Wednesday, the magazine cites an unidentified source close to Michael Jordan who says the NBA superstar turned owner of the Washington Wizards is "90 percent committed" to coming back next season to play for the Wizards.
In order to make his return, Jordan would have to give up his minority stake in the Wizards since it is against NBA rules for an owner to also be a player.
Such a move would not be unprecedented. In 1996, Magic Johnson gave up his share in the Los Angeles Lakers to make a brief comeback as a player with the club.
The report, which said Jordan would play for the $1 million veteran's minimum in order to help create more salary cap room for the woeful Wizards, also suggested that Charles Barkley was planning to come out of retirement to play alongside his good friend.
Jordan did not return telephone calls by Sports Illustrated. Barkley, without denying the rumours, said: "Put it this way. It would take extraordinary circumstances for me to come out of retirement."
The 38-year-old Jordan has not played since 1998, when he led the Chicago Bulls to their third straight NBA championship and sixth in eight years.
He went out in a blaze of glory, hitting the winning basket against the Utah Jazz in the deciding game of the 1998 Finals.
JORDAN DENIES RUMOURS
While any rumour of a comeback by the man widely considered the greatest player in NBA history tends to take on a life of its own, Jordan last week told the Washington Post that the chances he would never play again were "99.9 percent."
He reiterated his stance this week, telling the Post that any time he hits a basketball court to work out, the rumours of a second coming begin anew.
"To run a basketball team with the motivation of coming back to play is against any rules or ethics out there," Jordan told the Post.
"I am working out because I got up to 240 pounds (109 kg) and I'm trying to lose weight," Jordan said.
"Playing basketball at a health club against, in essence, some weekend warriors, is the best way I know how to lose weight. People are taking this stuff way too far, but I can't control what people write or think so I'm not going to address this any more."
Jordan left the NBA once before and returned after two years of trying his hand at minor league baseball. Those were the two years that the Chicago Bulls failed to win the championship during the eight-year stretch that included six titles.
Barkley, who turns 38 later this year, never won a championship, losing to Jordan's Bulls as a member of the Phoenix Suns in the 1993 NBA Finals.
He is scheduled to have his number retired by the Philadelphia 76ers later this month.
